Central York School District - Budget

Budget

In 2010, the district reported employing over 451 teachers and administrators with a starting salary of $41,000 to $85,000 for 194 day work year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, professional development reimbursement, personal days - 3, 1 paid Emergency leave day, 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), 3 paid bereavement days, and other benefits. An employee who retires after thirty or more years of service is entitled to health benefits paid by the district. Teachers are paid for extra instructional services at an hourly rate. The district also provides the union with 15 paid leave days to conduct union business.

In 2007, Central York School District employed 320 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $48,609 for 180 days worked. In 2007, the district's starting salary was $39,137 and the top teacher salary was $76,924 both salaries were the fourth highest in York County. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, paid sick days, a retirement severance, and other benefits.

Central York School District administrative costs was $750.36 per pupil in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 in 2008. In 2007, the Central York School Board awarded a five year contract (January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2013) to Dr. Michael S. Snell. as Superintendent, with an initial salary of $138,000. He was also awarded an extensive benefits package which includes: health insurance, life insurance, annual dues, paid travel, 20 days paid vacation, defined benefit pension and more. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that in 2008 the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165. In 2007, the Average District Administrator salary in Central York School District was $104,322 which ranked third in York County. The Average School Administrator salary in Central York School District was $80,507 which ranked sixth in York County.

Reserves - In 2008, the district reported a $13,315,942.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero. In 2010, Central York administration reported $8,142,920 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.

In April 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The significant findings were reported to the administration and the school board. The school district forfeited $13,190 due to employing an uncertified individual for several years. The certification delinquency had been reported in a previous audit.

In 2008, the district administration reported spending $11,520 per pupil which ranked 339th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $12,347.16 Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.

On May 21, 2010, the Central York School Board approved a $72.6 million preliminary budget. The board transferred $2.6 million to a designated fund for anticipated increases in the district's required pension contributions

According to an extensive study of York County school districts conducted by APA Associates in 2008, Central York School District achieved a +10 rating based on Performance and Relative Efficiency. Northeastern York School District also achieved a ranking of +10. Eleven out of 16 York County district achieved a positive rating.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax - 1% revenues shared with some local municipalities, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's wealth.